TERES MAJOR MUSCLE ⠀ [ANATOMY, FUNCTION, PATHOLOGY] ⠀ The teres major attaches from the inferior angle and distal 1/3 of the lateral border of the scapula and runs to the medial lip of the bicipital groove of the humerus. Those attachment points make it the little brother of the latissimus dorsi. It adducts the arm, extends the shoulder and rotates it inwardly. ⠀ If this muscle is overworked, all movements that require lifting your arm to the side and in front of you may be impaired and/or painful. Why? Because an overworked muscle usually is very tight and in a shortened position. The movements mentioned above all include an elongation of the muscle as they display the opposite direction of the muscle functions. On the other side pulling on things may be also painful because the muscle has to work. Always remember: An overworked and tender muscle may give you trouble, no matter if you contract (use) it, or if you stretch it. ⠀ An overworked teres major or one that contains trigger points (TPs) can mimic shoulder bursitis or a thoracic outlet syndrome. Common people that suffer are athletes like gymnasts, rock climbers, tennis/baseball players or rowers. ⠀ TPs in your muscles can make them ache right at their location and at other, seemingly unrelated parts of your body. The main pain zone of the teres major is the back of your shoulder. Beside that, pain can radiate to the front and side of your shoulder and down the backside of your arm ⠀ Self-massage of the teres major with a @BLACKROLL® BALL: ▪️Lay on your side and place the ball under and slightly behind of your armpit ▪️Perform a internal/external shoulder rotation allowing the ball to mobilise the muscles under your armpit and behind the shoulder, do these for about 45sec or until the tension resolves ▪️Pay attention not to let the ball slide too much towards your rib cage ▪️You can also move up and down while massaging, in this case you only want to work the painful spots ▪️Whenever you hit a tender spot, stay there and work it a couple of times very precise